Oil valve cleaner



@y J FW 0f 5 1942- M. D. Hu'sroN 2,298,212

OIL VALVE CLEANER Filed 001'.. 2l, 1940 l 2 Sheets-Sheet l 204- I i 2 10 -21 IZ l @y 1K-hin '0t.6,1942." M DHUSTON f '2,298,212

OIL VALVE CLEANER Filed oct. 21, 1940 l 2 sheets-sheet 2 JzZore i12/asia?? `Patented 9ct. 6, 1942 n on. VALVE CLEANER Milton D. Huston, Columbus, Ohio, assgnor to Oil Devices, Santa Fe, N. Mex., a` limited nership of Illinois part- Application October 21, 1940, Serial No. 362,112 (C1. 251-29) 15 Claims.

My invention relates to an improved cleaning means for cleaning oil valve metering slots.

One purpose is the provision of improved means for keeping the slot Ain an oil valve from filling up with foreign matter.

Another purpose is the provision of means for keeping the oil valveslot or slots clean in response to movement of the valve member itself.

Another purpose is the provision of means for n cleaning the oil valve slot or slots in response to varying temperatures.

Another purpose is the provision of improved means for cleaning the oil valve slot or slots in response to roation of the stem.

Other purposes will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein: o

Fig. 1 is a partial vertical section along the axis of the valve;

A Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a section similarV to Fig. 2 showing the parts in a different position;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figf3; v

Fig. 5 is a section through a valve illustrating a variant cleaning means;

Fig. 6 is a similar section through the structure of Fig. 5, taken at an angle lof ninety-degrees;

Fig. 'IA is a section on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section similar to Fig. l, through a .l ,variant form of the device;

Fig. 9 is a detail;

Fig. 10 is a section on on Aan enlarged scale;

Fig. 11 is a section on the lineil, on a still larger scale;

Fig. l2 is a vertical section through a variant form; K

Fig. 13 .is a section on the line I3-I3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a section on the line |4-l4 of. Fig. 13; 'and Fig. 15 is a plan view of the cleaning blade on an enlarged scale.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

the line Ill- I0 of Fig. 8,

u-l'l of Fig.

Referring to the drawings, l generally Vindi- Y cates a float valve housing, the details of which do not of themselves form part of therpresent invention. 2 is a top or cover therefor. 3 is an intermediate partition or'support. 4 indicates the inner chamber of the float valve, which is normally partially lled with oil or a simila liquid fuel. 5 is the oil outlet passage means, which may be connected to a space 6 within an interior wall 1. The horizontal portion ofthe interior wall l may receive any suitable valve seat element 8, defining the valve passage 9.

l0 is a valve member or hollow stem having a lower portion Il', penetrating the valve aperture, a tapered or'conic shoulder I2 opposed to the upper surface or surfaces of thevalve seat, an upper aperture or air vent i3, and an upper solid stem I4 penetrating the aperture l5 in the partition 3, whereby the stem or valve structure as a whole is guided for movement in a generally vertical path.y o

I6 is a coil spring compressed between the top of the wall 3 and a washer l1 on an upwardly extending stem portion of reduced diameter I8 whereby the spring i6 tends to hold the valve or valve stern structure in a raised position. It may be depressed against the spring i6 by any suitable means, for example an exterior manual knob or handle I9, screw threaded as at into a thickened portion 2l of the top wall 2. It will be understood that the handle I9 may be rotated to raise the screw threaded portion 20 and thereby to permit the spring I6 to raise the valve structure and permit the flow of fuel acrossthe valve seat.

Rotation of the hollow stein` I0 is prevented by a pin 2| extending into a slot 22, which'slot provides a passage for the flow of .fuel through the aperture Q whenthe valve element I0 is in' the raised position in which it is shown in Fig.

3. The small slot is effective to provide a close gauging of the fuel passing therethrough. It is important to prevent a deposit of wax or any gummy or solid material in this slot, since the accuracy of the control of the fuel flow is thereby affected. The pin' 2| constitutes a wiping or cleaning device which, in response to the raising or lowering of the structure I0, scrapes any solid or gummy deposit from the walls of the slot 22.

Referring to the form of Figs. 5 to 7, I illustrate a similar valve element 30, with the bottom reduced cylindrical portion 3|, havingl a metering slot 32. 33 indicates a thermostatic leaf or bimetallic strip secured at its upper end, as at 34, within the hollow 35 of the member 30. It may be positioned, for example, in a plug 3Q, held in position by a set's'crew 31. 38 indicates an adjusting screw for adjusting the thermo--` static leaf. The leaf has a bottom offset 39, which penetrates the slot 32, and, as the bimetallic strip` 33 flexes in response to temperature changes, wipes back and forth and clears the slot 32 of any deposited material. It will be effective, for example. to squeeze out any material which tends to settle in-or' clog the aperture before it has a chance to solidify.

Referring to the form of Figs. 8 to 11, I illustrate means for cleaning the slot in r'esponse to rotation of the valve element. I illustrate, for

example, a valve element 50, which may be rotated by an exterior handle 5|. It carries an abutment 52 riding on a spiral cam 53, whereby rotation of the handle 5| bodily raises and lowers the member 50. The spring 5IA tends normally to urge the valve element 50 toward closed position. The lower reduced diameter portion 55 is provided with a metering slot 56. The hollow of the valve 50 may have mounted in or pressed therein a plate or leaf 51, which is fixed in relation to the walls of the member 50. Secured to it, for example by welding, is a spring scraper, generally indicated as 58, which may, for example, be welded at one end, as at 59, and may be provided with a recurved portion 60, passing through a slot-l 6| of the member 51. Extending outwardly from the recurved portion is a generally radial portion 62, the end of which extends through the slot 56 and abuts frictionally against the wall of the valve aperture 63. It will be understood that, as the valve structure 50 is rotated, the spring end 62 is given a wiping movement, indicated by the range between the full line and the dotted line position of Fig. 11,which is effective to clean the slot 5B by squeezing or otherwise ejecting any solid or gummy material which may" tend to gather there.

Referring to the form of Figs. l2 and following, I illustrate a cleanout member which operates through the normal valve mechanism, but independently thereof. I illustrate it in lconnection with the same type of structure shown in Fig. 8, but in the place of having the cleaning member operate in response to movement of the valve element 50, I provide an independent stem 10, having an exterior operating handle 1|, located above the handle 5| of the valve 50 and extending downwardly through the central bore of the valve element 50, to terminate at its lower y end, with the cleaning blade 12 extending into the metering slot 56a in the reduced portion 55 of thevaive member 50. 'I'he metering slot may be cleaned manually independently of the location of the valve handle 5| lby merely successively raising and lowering the handle 1|. The stem 10 and the blade 12-may be kept in a predetermined relation to the slot 56a. For example, they may be urged to a downward position by a coil spring 15 compressed between an abutment 16 on the stem 10 and the upper end 11 by the central bore of the valve member 50. It will be noted that the blade 12 may include a central disc or hub 18, three generally radial projections 19 extending outwardly therefrom, and a cleanout pin 80 mounted on and extending outwardly of one of said radial projections.

It will be realized that, whereas I have described and illustrated a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the-size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than as limiting me to my precise showing.

It will be understood, for example, that, whereas I employ the term slot, I intend this term to be sufficiently broadly interpreted to cover a valve opening even. though the 'length of the opening may not exceed its width.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

In fuel flow control valves of the type herein described and shown, I employ a relativelyV restricted slot to provide an accurate metering of the ilowv of fuel, for example to a liquid hydrocarbon burner. The valve may be used for other purposes, so I do not wish my claims to be limited specliically to metering oil or metering lfuel. However, my invention may very practically be applied to metering liquid hydrocarbon fuel for burners and the like.

It is important to maintain a very close control of the volume of fueldelivered, especially at low fire or pilot flame. The metering slot 22, 32 'or 56 provides an advantageous metering means, since the eil'ective fuel admisison length of the slot may be varied by raising and lowering in response to or in the course of the normal operation of the valve.

Thus, in the form of Figs. 1 to 4, I provide a pin 2| registering in the slot 22. As the stem is moved up and down, the pin wipes against the Walls of the slot and keeps the slot clean and positively forces impurities, solid deposists, or the like, from the slot.

In the form of Figs. 5 to 7 I provide thermostatic means which, in response to the frequent changes in temperature to whichA the valve structure is submitted, keeps the slot open by the movement of the bimetal element back and forth.

In the form of Figs. 8 to 11 I illustrate an embodiment of my invention adaptable for use where the valve stem or element is rotated in the course of raising and lowering it. The spring end 62, which may for example be of bronze, wipes the slot and tendsfto keep the slot 56 clean.

As to the form of Figs. 8 and following, the

operator may, in order to get complete cleaning effect, positively rotate the knob 5| back and forth, in addition to the cleaning effect which may result from ordinary setting or changing of setting of the stem. The same'is, of course, true of the form of Fig. 1`. However, the normal use `of the stem in each case resultsin a cleaning effect where the burner flame is being adjusted or changed from time to time.

l. In combination, a valve seat, a movable valve element therefor, having a metering slot, means for adjustably moving the valve to vary the effective area of the metering slot to control liquid flow therethrough, and means for cleaning said metering slot in response to the adjustable movement of the valve element.

2. Inv combination, valve element therefor, having a metering slot, means for adjustably the effective area of the metering slot to control liquid iiow therethrough, and means for cleaning said metering slot in response to the adjustable a valve seat, a movable moving the valveto vary movement of the valve element, including a cleaning member xed in relation to the valve seatand penetrating said slot at all normal positions of the `valve element.

3. In combination, a valve seat, a movable valve element therefonhaving a metering slot, means for adjustably moving the valve to vary the effective area of the metering slot to control liquid flow therethrough, and means for cleaning said metering slot in response to the adjustable axial movement of the valve element. l

4. In combination,` a valve seat, a movable valve element therefor, having a metering slot, and means for cleaning said metering slot in response to rotary movement of the valve element.

5. In combination, a valve seat, a movable valve element therefor, having a metering slot, means for adjustably moving the Valve to vary the effective area of the metering slot to control liquid-'flow therethrough, and means for cleani 'ing said metering slot in response to the adjustable axial movement of the valve element, including a cleaning member fixed in relation to the valve seat and penetrating said slot at all normal positions of the valve element.

6. In combination, a valve seat, a movable valve element therefor, having a metering slot, means for adjustably'moving the valve to vary the effective area of the metering slot to control liquid flow therethrough, and means for cleaning said metering slot during the normal operation of the valve.

'7. In combination, a valve seat, a movable valve element therefor, having a metering slot, and means for cleaning said metering slot during the normal operation of the valve, including a thermally flexing element having a portion penetratlng said slot.

8. In combination, a valve seat, a hollow movable valve element therefor, having a metering slot in the wall thereof, and means for cleaning said metering slot, including a flexible member mounted within the hollow of the valve element and having a portion penetrating said slot.

mounted within the hollow of the valve element and having a portion penetrating said slot and in frictional contact with a portion of said seat exterior to said slot.

11. In combination, a valve seat, a hollow movable valve element therefor, having a metering slot, and means for cleaning said metering slot, including a cleanout member mounted within said hollow valve element and including a portion movably penetrating said slot.

12. In combination, a valve seat including a cylindrical portion and a laterally extending portion concentric with and located at one end of the cylindrical portion, a valve member having a hollow cylindrical portion longitudinally movable in the cylindrical portion of the seat and a laterally extending portion permanently associated with the hollow cylindrical portion, adapted to engage the laterally extended portion of the valve seat, a metering slot extending through the hollow wall of the cylindrical portion of the valve, below the laterally extended portion and adapted to be masked by the cylindrical portion of the valve seat, means for imparting a metering movement to the valve to vary the effective opening of the metering slot, and means extending through, and adapted to be displaced with respect to, the slot in response to the movement of the valve,-to clean the metering slot.

13. In combination, a valve seat, a. movable valve element therefor having a metering opening therein, means for adjustably moving the valve element in relation to the seat to vary the effective area of the metering opening and thereby to control the ow of liquid therethrough, and means for cleaning said metering opening during the normal operation of the valve.

14. In combination, a valve seat, a movablev valve element therefor having a metering opening therein, means for adjustably moving the valve element in relation to the seat to vary the effective area of the metering opening and thereby to control the flow of liquid therethrough, and means for cleaning said metering opening during the normal operation of the valye, including an element normally fixed in relation to the valve seat and extending into said opening.

15. In combination, a valve seat, a movable valve element therefor having a metering opening therein, means for adjustably moving the valve element in relation to the seat to vary the eiective area of the metering opening and thereby to control the flow of liquid therethrough, and means for cleaning said metering opening in response to the normal operation of the valve.

y MILTON D. HUSTON. 

